Frank Ezell

Frank Owen Ezell, 90, of Spartanburg, died Thursday, August 6, 2009, at the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. Born April 8, 1919, on Cleveland Street (now part of Wofford College), he was the son of the late Walter Orlando and Nora Pettit Ezell. He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Louise Sanders Ezell. He received a B.S. degree from Wofford College in 1943. During World War II, he was a first lieutenant in the United States Army and commanded the 2029 engineers, an aviation fire fighting platoon. His unit landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, on D-Day, June 6, 1944, and completed their mission in Germany at the end of the war. He returned to civilian life in 1946 as Sales Manager and Buyer at Smith Wholesale Drug Company. In 1952 he joined the Geer Drug Company, retiring in 1984 as Corporate Vice President and Director of Sales. He was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Spartanburg where he was a Deacon, gladly serving when called upon between 1947 and 1997; three terms as Chairman of the Finance Committee; and organized the largest Bible Training Union in the area, which lasted for 18 years. In 1956 he became the first director of the Church's television ministry, serving in that capacity for 24 years. (Beginning November 21, 1956, WSPA has carried the 11 a.m. worship service from the downtown Church on East Main Street without interruption). He was a member of fifteen civic and business organizations. His most cherished service was with the Spartanburg Kiwanis Club. He joined in January 1953, where he had 50 years perfect attendance. In this capacity, he served as President, Lt. Governor, and was awarded the Kiwanis International Life Member status. He is survived by three sons, Frank O. Ezell, Jr., Robert D. Ezell and his wife Shany, and David S. Ezell, all of Spartanburg; two grandsons, Blake Ezell and Adam Ezell; two sisters, Bertha Ezell McArthur and her husband Emmett McArthur of Spartanburg, and Joyce Ezell Kidd and her husband Benny of Birmingham, AL. He was predeceased by his twin brother, Earl Ezell, his brother, Cecil Ezell, and his sister, Margaret Ezell Wells. The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:45 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2009, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 noon at the Chapel conducted by the Rev. Sal Barone, the Rev. Bill Adams, and the Rev. Robert C. Morgan. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Honorary Escort will be members of the Kiwanis Club of Spartanburg, Brotherhood Sunday School Class, Geer Drug Company Golden Friendship Club, and the Spartanburg High School Class of 1938. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 250 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306; or to the Spartanburg County Foundation, W. O. Ezell Beautification Fund, 424 East Kennedy Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Frank O. Ezell please visit our Sympathy Store.